Wed Dec 24 05:55:06 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

Trump Administration Overhauls H-1B Visa Program, Favoring Higher-Paid Workers

Washington D.C. – The Trump administration is set to significantly alter the H-1B visa program, replacing the current lottery system with a weighted approach that prioritizes higher-skilled, higher-paid foreign workers. The new rule, slated to take effect on February 27, 2026, will govern the allocation of approximately 85,000 H-1B visas annually, starting with the fiscal 2027 registration season.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, this overhaul aims to address alleged abuses within the existing lottery system, where U.S. employers purportedly exploited the program to hire foreign workers at lower wages than their American counterparts.

“The existing random selection process of H-1B registrations was exploited and abused by US employers who were primarily seeking to import foreign workers at lower wages than they would pay American workers,” said US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) spokesman Matthew Tragesser.

The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape the H-1B visa program. It includes imposing a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas for highly skilled workers.

The H-1B visa is a critical pathway for skilled foreign professionals seeking employment in the United States. Indian professionals, particularly in the technology and medical fields, are a significant group of H-1B visa holders. Critics have argued that the current system allows companies to fill entry-level positions at lower wages, even when the workers possess significant experience.

While supporters of the H-1B program highlight its role in driving innovation and filling specialized roles, critics claim it has led to wage suppression and displacement of American workers.

The annual cap for new H-1B visas is 65,000, with an additional 20,000 visas available for those with a master’s degree or higher. The change is expected to impact entry-level professionals, making it more challenging for them to obtain work visas in the U.S.

Read More